Chicago is divided into little feudal duchies, and each little fiefdom is savagely protective of it's turf. As long as the little barons declare fidelity to the Man on Five, and provide the requisite number of votes, they are paid, and otherwise ignored.
It's sort of hard on slow children caught in the crossfire, but the smart ones survive and eventually take over their father's baronies.
I'd call it a return to the Dark Ages, but that's racist.
Not all kids will be bussed, some will have to walk only a few blocks, but will be going into another gang’s zone. Some kids will have to walk through 3 different gangs’ territories.